SWINE GEORGE E. DAY. 9 



and indulgent mother. As in the case of the boar, the ques- 

 tion of conformation is discussed in connection with judging 

 swine. 



Pedigree. For the production of market hogs, it is not 

 essential that the sow should be pure bred. A grade sow of 

 good type and parentage will usually produce very satisfac- 

 tory pigs for market purposes, if mated with a boar of good 

 breeding and quality. Though she is not pure bred, her 

 parentage must not be overlooked in making a selection. 

 Whether pure bred or grade, a sow selected for breeding 

 should be from a prolific mother, and by a boar that comes 

 of a prolific family, because fecundity is hereditary to a very 

 marked degree. It is safest to select a sow from a matured 

 mother who has had a chance to demonstrate her usefulness. 

 A sow selected for breeding should have at least twelve fully 

 developed teats, set well apart, with the front ones well for- 

 ward on the body. The remarks upon the relative import- 

 ance of pedigree and individuality, and the influence of 

 ancestors, which were made in discussing the selection of the 

 boar, apply with equal force here. 



IN-BREEDING. 



In-breeding, or in-and-in-breeding, means the mating of 

 animals that are closely related. There is no question that 

 in-breeding has been a very important factor in the improve- 

 ment of nearly all breeds of live stock. It concentrates the 

 blood and makes animals more prepotent, that is to say, 

 causes them to transmit their own qualities to their progeny 

 with a greater degree of certainty. In this respect, there- 

 fore, in-breeding is beneficial, but it must not be forgotten 

 that it will fix bad qualities as well as good ones, and, when 

 carried too far, sterility and loss of constitution are likely to 

 result. Unfortunately, too, no one can say how soon the 

 danger point will be reached, because it varies in individuals, 

 and when bad effects are noticeable, the injury cannot be 

 repaired. In addition to this, swine are more easily injured 



